Union Cemetery
Location Information
Date:23rd July, 2005 Type:Cemetery
Location Title:Union Cemetery City/State:Kansas City, MO
Investigation Times:09:00 PM - 11:10 PM Status:Analysis
Weather Information
Sunrise:06:11 AM Sunset:08:37 PM
High Temperature:100 °F Low Temperature:81 °F
Sky Condition:Clear Wind:SSW at 14 mph
Humidity:50% Precipitation:0%
Lunar Phase:Waning Gibbous % disk visible:90%
Solar X-Rays:Normal Geomagnetic Field:Quiet
Pressure:29.96 mmHg
Investigators Present
Hugh McLenaghan
Kelli Patrick
Becky Ray
Miranda Stark
Question: Any visual apparations?
Answer: Reported photos with figures in them.
Question: Any sounds?
Answer: Reports of EVP
Question: Any physical attacks?
Answer: No
Question: Any past investigations, priests or clergy?
Answer: Yes, several past investigations
Question: How far back can you trace the history of the property?
Answer: 1857 when James M. Hunter deeded 49 acres to the Union Cemetery Association.
Question: Have there been any deaths or violent occurances in the the property?
Answer: One suicide on the grave of the victim's daughter.
Investigators Notes
Hugh McLenaghan:There was one point when the caretaker was walking us around that was kind of strange. He put his hand on a particular headstone (which was pretty big and heavy), and it suddenly fell backwards to the ground. It didn't seem like it would have done that with such a gentle touch.
Kelli Patrick:I used nightshot video camera and 35mm camera. We were doing a walk through w/ an employee. He put his hand on a heavy marble gravestone and it fell over. He didn't put too much pressure on it, but we were all glad we were on the side it fell over. The cemetery was great. I didn't feel anything, but did have some trouble w/ my video camera. I was filming over in the baby section and my camera was detecting motion like someone was standing right in front of the camera for about 15 seconds and then the camera was able to focus on the entire grave section. My camera would then go out of focus 2 more times and then didn't have a problem w/ it the rest of the night. It only happened in the baby section. On the video, at the baby section the camera can not focus on the cemetery. It picks up something in front of it and then it is fine. Everywhere else, the video doesn't have a problem.
Becky Ray:This is such a wonderful and historic old cemetery! I found it very peaceful and relaxing to be there.
When the very large and probably 400 pound tombstone fell over at the beginning of our investigation, it was very strange. However, upon closer inspection, the base of the tombstone had sunk nearly three inches on the west side, and the tombstone itself was not secured to the base in any way. Luckily no one was injured by the stone as it fell, and the Director of the Cemetery Historical Society was present to know it had happened.
Other than that, the only other out of the ordinary event of the night was when a bat decided to circle our group at close range. I saw it the first time, and then Miranda and I both saw it the second time. Had I not been familiar with bats, that might have been frightening as it appears as just a dark flying animal that clearly is not a bird.
I am still reviewing my audio from the night, and am waiting to get my film developed. However, I did not have any strange feelings or witness anything unexplainable this night at all. Great place, though! I highly recommend visiting!
They are always looking for new members of the Union Cemetery Historical Society and volunteers are always welcome. If you can donate time, resources, or provide financial assistance, please call 816-472-4990.
Miranda Stark:All photos taken on 35mm, nothing anomalous. Feelings were of calm, and peace. I was never under the impression that any paranormal entities were present. I found it ironic that the very stone that collapsed to the ground, was the one being shown to us by the groundskeeper as having a mysterious young boy dressed in blue sitting atop the stone in another visitor's photograph. The coincindence was interesting. Upon closer inspection, the stone had most likely merely slid off it's base as a result of not being properly attached.
No EVPS for this Investigation at this time
PHOTOS
This is the stone that coincidentally fell over during the walk-through with the cemetery director. He was describing a photograph taken by a past visitor that showed a mysterious boy dressed in a blue suit sitting atop this very stone. As he patted the top of the stone it suddenly fell off its base to the ground barely missing his foot. Submitted by Miranda
Shortly after her burial, the father of this 6-year-old girl committed suicide on her grave. However, today neither the father nor the daughter are buried in Union Cemetery. Following the father's funeral the daughter was moved to be next to him, but her original headstone remains. NOTE: The names have been purposely distorted in this photo out of respect for the family.
This is another photo of the headstone that fell over as we were doing our initial walk thru of the cemetery.
This is the stone that coincidentally fell over during the walk-through with the cemetery director. He was describing a photograph taken by a past visitor that showed a mysterious boy dressed in a blue suit sitting atop this very stone. As he patted the top of the stone it suddenly fell off its base to the ground barely missing his foot. Submitted by Miranda